Does he have a concussion (did they see his brain, was his brain even affected)? If they didn't scan him, we don't know if he actually has a concussion. Since "CONCUSSION" is a huge buzz topic every time someone gets bumped or falls down the docs, by default, say it could be a concussion. Losing consciousness does not necessarily indicate a concussion an/or head trauma.

If they scanned him and there is an indication of a concussion, the concern is a repeat injury. To my knowledge cycling doesn't have a concussion rule so its up to TM if he continues or not.

Now I'm going to go way out here: Based on the photos I've seen it looks like his hip and shoulder took most of the impact. His helmet doesn't even look scratched. I know that doesn't rule out a concussion because there are other forces at play. Just call me photo MD! ;}

+1 OldFart. Even the NFL has finally gotten wise to the risk associated with a repeat injury. I like Tony Martin and don't like seeing him risk his career over this.

Assessed in the general hospital in Bastia, fractures were ruled out but he was diagnosed with a concussion plus a contusion on his left lung. In addition to that, soft tissue damages to his hip, chest, left knee and shoulder were identified, as was a deep 5cm wound on his left muscles. The team said that this “causes a lot of pain and a problem moving his arm.”

Lochness, why? I was racing motorcycles and dislocated my ankle (my foot was pointing to 9 but my leg was at 12) the pain made me lose consciousness for several minutes. I bought some Scott plastic boots (yep in the '70s) that evening and raced, with pain, the next day. Was my life in danger? Maybe TM lost consciousness because of the pain in his pelvis, lung, and shoulder.

Madvax, I read that story too but how did they diagnose? If they didn't scan, they don't know. Plus did the doctor actually say concussion or did the team say concussion?

Mixed feelings here. I get the "don't let him ride" bit. I get that another head injury (or even a normally sub-injurious blow) will do real long term damage to the brain.

I raced the season after my head injury (yes, months later, not hours later, but mine was life threatening with very real consequences). If the naysayers had the information of today and I was more than a bit player, my racing would have been very controversial. I am glad they didn't. In the picture frame of my life, that season of racing was an important element. I paid a price for it like I did for a number of decisions I made. I don't regret it at all.

Looking at Tony Martin: He has how many TdFs in his body? Maybe seven? Yes George Hincapie and a few others have done twice as many, but they are the exceptions. Next spring, Tony Martin could crash, injure his hip[ and have his racing career ended. Right now, he is strong enough to (maybe in four or five days) ride the pointy end again. That is a privilege very few ever get. He has done a phenomenal amount of work to get there. Let's say he continues and wins a stage. Does some quality work for his teammates. In 20 years as he looks back, is he going to feel he should be suing those who allowed him to ride when now he cannot remember where he left his keys and has to rely on someone to help him, or is he going to think "I'm glad they didn't let me ride the rest of that Tour"?

Remember, we are not talking college educated young men who can drop bike racing and step into an office and live a comfortable life. I don't kn ow Tony Martin, but many of the European racers are closer to our NBA players. Racing is a way out. Not being allowed to continue the Tour is like not being able to continue the playoffs.

Another point, very recent: I come out of my crash a few weeks ago with no concussion. (No I did not get a CAT scan but I have had enough, both diagnosed and not that I am more of an expert than I would like to be.) I remember hitting the road very clearly. The rest of the crash, not at all. After, clear as day. Was able to answer the bystander's questions about who I was, where I lived, etc, easily. My crash two years ago? Likewise. I knew immediately after both crashes that my head/brain was OK. Two years ago, I got the CAT scan and passed it. It is obvious both times that my body shut down consciousness to protect me from observing what was happening to it. A self-defense mechanism like blinking if you will.

I know the players in the NFL have individual base line function tests established that they must pass before returning to the field. I thought there was some movement in that direction from Pro Cycling after the Chris Horner incident a couple years back. I don't know if Omega Pharma QuickStep has any such protocol in place or not. All teams should.

If Tony has a concussion, and the news reports say he did, he can't decide. He's not in shape to decide. I know my wife went to work after her concussion 6 years ago. Lasted a few weeks then she was sent home. Has not worked since. No sign of distress to her new that day POC ski helmet either. My best friend is just able to rode about 15 k after three years post concussion. If Tony actually has been concussed he doesn't get to decide, his team doctors do. Maybe his reported concussion is not a concussion.

From the Mayo Clinic: "A cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan is the standard test to assess the brain right after injury."

"concussion is a clinical diagnosis": 5-10-20 years ago.

"a trained physician": did they have a neurologist on call?

In April I attended a sports clinic and concussion (TBI) was the main topic. One of the things I learned: you can't diagnose a concussion with a standard neurological exam.

They said that the standard ER neuro test is a good place to start but too many factors affect the results. Is the patient stressed/in shock from the event? One doc said that many auto accident patients will test positive for TBI using a neuro test even if they have absolutely no TBI. They said that CT is the only way to tell for sure but just as with all brain/spinal cord science its difficult. TBI can "hide" so instead of looking for damage they look for irregularities. One of the docs said that they are developing tech/procedures to identify cell damage from TBI. He said that he and his neuro colleagues can identify things that look completely normal to others (as you referred). I just took 12 hours of discussion and summarized it in one small paragraph so don't quote me but you get the idea.

In this case TM might be dehydrated and exhausted which cold be mistaken as positive signs of a concussion using the clinical neuro exam. His injuries would certainly affect his coordination which might also be mistaken as a sign of concussion. He might have been in shock from the pain which could lead one to think that he had a concussion. The team might have told the docs that he lost consciousness so they said "it might be a concussion".

In closing though, the docs at the sports clinic said to always err on the side of caution. If there is any question of TBI, activities that could lead to a blow to the head should be avoided and the person should be closely monitored.